Indie acquires long-serving family firm; £50,000 investment planned

Independent furniture retailer Collingwood Batchellor has confirmed the acquisition of fellow family business Rusdens, with plans to invest around £50,000 on the agenda.

The deal, which remains undisclosed, sees Collingwood Batchellor expand its store portfolio to East Grinstead, as well as acquiring all the businesses assets including its name and website presence, with the Rusdens identity to remain for the short term.

Collingwood has big plans for the store, with an Autumn 2016 date targeted for a relaunch, which will see the location completely refurbished and remerchandised as a bed specialist with bedroom, dining and upholstery furniture, alongside a strong linen department.

Speaking to Cabinet Maker, owner of Horley-based Collingwood Batchellor, Guy Collingwood, said that the opportunity to takeover the business and to keep it going was too good to miss – albeit coming at a busy time where the company is currently revamping its Haslemere location.

Guy said: “We are really excited about being in East Grinstead in the premises of this highly regarded business, Rusdens. It gives us the opportunity to expand in a new town, which isn’t too far from our head office, just nine miles away.

“We will be able to service it from our central warehouse which will keep costs down and all our administrative and logistical operations can be handled from our head office, so the new store will act primarily as a showroom.”

Guy revealed that the previous owners were looking to close the business after over 75 years with a view to move out of retail.

“They were looking to cease trading and we had the opportunity to take it over and keep the business going. We are delighted to take on a number of existing staff and we are really excited about the project.”

Collingwood Batchellor has been established since 1968 and currently has stores in Horsham, Worthing, Haywards Heath, Haslemere, Horley and Tunbridge Wells.